After suffering an injury in a side-impact collision in Baldwin, you could qualify to receive a monetary settlement or award for the damages. If your injuries or expenses surpass a certain threshold, you could also be entitled to pursue a lawsuit against the driver that struck you.
A side-impact crash can cause devastating bodily injuries. In addition to most vehicles’ limited ability to absorb a side-impact, these crashes also have the potential to cause a rollover.
You have the right to seek guidance and legal support from a Baldwin car accident lawyer following your accident. The team at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. is ready to review your case and guide you on how to proceed. Call (516) 932-0400 to speak with a representative from our firm today.
- The Nature of Side-Impact Collisions
- T-Bone Collisions
- Broadside Collisions
- How Side-Impact Crashes Happen
- Successful Outcomes in Accident Claims
- You Could Be Eligible for Compensation Following a Side-Impact Crash
The Nature of Side-Impact Collisions
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly 23 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2018 involved a side-impact crash. There are two types of side-impact crashes that drivers should be familiar with. Each of these collisions occurs under different circumstances, but the outcome always has the potential to be severe. These collisions are known as T-Bone and broadside accidents.
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T-Bone Collisions
A T-Bone crash is a collision between the front-end of one vehicle and the side of another. These accidents can occur at intersections, side roads, or anywhere that two drivers might cross paths.
These accidents are dangerous given the limited protection offered by the doors and side panels of a vehicle. Unlike the front-end, the sides of a passenger vehicle have much less of an ability to absorb the impact of a collision.
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Broadside Collisions
A broadside accident—also routinely referred to as a sideswipe—is not as inherently dangerous as a T-Bone crash on its face. These accidents occur when the sides of two vehicles strike each other. Since these accidents typically occur when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction, the force of the impact is often much less than a T-Bone crash.
That does not mean these accidents cannot have severe repercussions. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), nearly 3 percent of traffic fatalities in 2017 resulted from a broadside crash. These accidents are especially dangerous when one or both drivers loses control and leaves the roadway, strikes an object, such as a tree or a wall, or is propelled into oncoming traffic. In some instances, a broadside can also cause a vehicle to roll over.
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How Side-Impact Crashes Happen
Side-impact collisions occur for different reasons. While they most commonly occur due to driver error, other factors can also play a part in causing a crash. Some of the most common causes of side-impact accidents include:
- Unsafe lane changes: Some motorists may forget to check their mirrors or signal before beginning to change lanes. If they fail to see that another driver is too close in their blind spot, it can cause a collision.
- Fatigued driving: Motorists that are overly fatigued experience reduced reaction times similar to those of a drunken driver. This can cause them to unwittingly strike the side of another vehicle while driving.
- Running a red light: One of the most common causes of side-impact crashes involves running a stop sign or red light. When this happens, drivers are at high risk of striking cross-traffic.
A Baldwin side-impact collisions lawyer can assist you in your efforts to resolve your claim. Whether it is negotiating a settlement or taking your case to trial, your legal counsel can be one of the most important assets you have. To learn more, reach out to Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. as soon as possible at (516) 932-0400.
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Successful Outcomes in Accident Claims
If you choose to pursue a personal injury claim following a side-impact accident, there are two general options that could allow for a successful outcome. The first is to negotiate a favorable settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. . The second is to take your case to trial and obtain a court judgment.
In general, side-impact crash claims resolve through a negotiated settlement. Most cases never go to trial, and many victims receive settlements before a lawsuit ever becomes necessary.
The fact that settlements are common does not mean that pursuing an insurance claim is always easy. For many Insurance companies, it is the standard operating procedure to offer a ridiculously low and insulting settlement in the hope it will resolve the case before you realize you are entitled to much more. Essentially, rather than deal with you in good faith and with compassion, as the injured victim of their insured’s negligence, they view you as a “file,” to be “adjusted,” as they try to “buy you off cheap.” If these are the circumstances you are facing, you and your legal counsel may need to go forward with a trial to obtain the compensation you deserve. At trial, both sides will have the opportunity to present witness testimony and documentary evidence. If the court ultimately sides with you, they will enter a judgment in your favor.
This is why a Baldwin side-impact collisions lawyer can be an extraordinarily helpful asset for you after a side-impact collision that resulted in you being seriously injured.
You Could Be Eligible for Compensation Following a Side-Impact Crash
If you are recovering from the effects of a side-impact collision, pursuing a personal injury case could help you recoup your medical care costs. If you are ready to discuss your options, Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. is ready to help. Call our firm today at (516) 932-0400 to get started.
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